Systems and methods of testing wireless networks
View Patent ↗Systems and methods of testing a wireless network are provided. Simulated user data, spread across all user data sub-carriers of all sub-channels of a frequency band assigned for transmissions, is transmitted by a number of base stations surrounding a base station under test. The power level of the simulated user data is determined based on a selected network load. A mobile station receives signals from the base station under test and the number of base stations, and the interference caused by the simulated user data to the transmission from the base station under test is determined. When less than 100% loading is employed for testing, the sub-channels carrying the simulated user data can vary on a frame-by-frame basis.
1. A method of testing a wireless network, the method comprising the act of:
transmitting simulated user data from a number of base stations, located in proximity to a first base station, at a predetermined power level, wherein the number of base stations and the first base station transmit using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and the simulated user data is spread across all user data sub-carriers of all sub-channels of a frequency band assigned for OFDM transmissions;
transmitting, by the first base station, communications over a number of sub-channels of the frequency band assigned for OFDM transmission; and
determining interference caused by the transmissions from the number of base stations to transmissions from the first base station,
wherein the predetermined power level is determined by subtracting a power level of pilot sub-carriers from a total power level to produce a difference and multiplying the difference by fractional loading.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the act of:
adjusting a parameter of at least one of the number of base stations based on the determined interference.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the adjustment is an adjustment of an antenna of the at least one of the number of base stations.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the adjustment is a power level of transmission by the at least one of the number of base stations.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the act of:
adjusting the first base station based on the determined interference.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the acts of:
inserting simulated user data into an inverse fast Fourier transform processor of the first base station, wherein the fast Fourier transform processor spreads the simulated user data across all user data sub-carriers of all sub-channels.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein a communication station receives transmissions from the number of base stations and the first base station, and the interference is determined based on the transmissions received by the mobile station.
8. A wireless communication system, comprising:
a access service network gateway;
a base station coupled to the access service network gateway; and
a testing controller, coupled to the access service network gateway, comprising
a memory;
an interface coupling the testing controller to the access service network gateway; and
a processor coupled to the memory and interface, wherein the processor includes
logic that determines a total power level for transmission by base stations proximately located to the base station; and
logic that determines interference caused by the proximately located base stations, transmitting simulated user data, to the base station,
wherein the simulated user data is spread across all sub-channels of a frequency band assigned for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmissions.
9. A wireless communication system, comprising:
a access service network gateway;
a base station coupled to the access service network gateway; and
a testing controller, coupled to the access service network gateway, comprising
a memory;
an interface coupling the testing controller to the access service network gateway; and
a processor coupled to the memory and interface, wherein the processor includes
logic that determines a total power level for transmission by base stations proximately located to the base station; and
logic that determines interference caused by the proximately located base stations, transmitting simulated user data, to the base station,
logic that determines a power level based upon a selected load;
logic that determines a power level of pilot sub-carriers,
wherein the total power level is determined by subtracting the power level of the pilot sub-carriers from a base station power level and multiplying the difference by fractional loading, and
wherein the simulated user data is spread across all sub-channels of a frequency band assigned for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmissions.
10. The wireless communication system of claim 8 , wherein the system also comprises a communication station.
11. The wireless communication system of claim 10 , wherein the base station comprises:
an antenna interface that transmits communications to the communication station;
a processor that produces communications for transmission to a communication station over a number of sub-channels;
an simulated user data source that generates simulated user data; and
an inverse fast Fourier transform processor that spreads the generated simulated user data across all user data sub-carriers of all sub-channels of a frequency band assigned.
12. A method of testing a wireless network, the method comprising the act of:
transmitting simulated user data from a number of base stations, located in proximity to a first base station, at a predetermined power level, wherein the number of base stations and the first base station transmit using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and the simulated user data is spread across user data sub-carriers of a first set of sub-channels of a frequency band assigned for OFDM transmissions for a first frame and across user data sub-carriers of a second set of sub-channels for a second frame;
transmitting, by the first base station, communications over a number of sub-channels of the frequency band assigned for OFDM transmission; and
determining interference caused by the transmissions from the number of base stations to transmissions from the first base station,
wherein the predetermined power level for the number of base stations transmitting simulated user data is set based on a selected load.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the interference is determined over a number of frames, and the first and second set of sub-channels are alternately employed for each frame in a period of time.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein when a 50% loading is employed for testing, odd sub-channels are assigned for the first frame and even sub-channels are assigned for the second frame.
15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the act of:
adjusting at least one of the number of base stations based on the determined interference.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the adjustment is an adjustment of an antenna of the at least one of the number of base stations.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the adjustment is a power level of transmission by the at least one of the number of base stations.
18. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the act of:
adjusting the first base station based on the determined interference.